CHAPTER 18
JOHN
We got cleaned up and changed our clothes very quickly, but now Olivia is trying to convince me to cancel the driver and the reservation.
“The driver’s already on his way.”
“I really don’t think he’ll be disappointed if he finds out he’ll get paid to not drive us anywhere.”
I’m already pulling out my phone to text the driver because the woman who just let me come on her tits doesn’t want to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant, so obviously I’m not taking her to a fancy restaurant tonight. “Just so we’re clear—the restaurant in Mayfair is very exclusive.”
“Just so I’m being clear,” she says as she inserts little gold hoops into her earlobes, “it’s a beautiful summer evening, and I think we should wander around! It was incredible being outside the Royal Opera House—so much good people-watching! I heard so many languages and different kinds of accents. Please?!” She bounces up and down, her hazel eyes wide and shining. “I’ve always wanted to walk around London. Have you ever? For fun, I mean.”
“For fun? No, I haven’t.”
“I’m pretty sure we can walk from here to Southbank! We can grab street food on the way and just, you know, play it by ear.”
“Youwantto buy food off the street? Even if we aren’t in a hurry?”
“Yes, John. I want to stroll around one of the most famous, exciting, beautiful cities in the world on a summer evening and eat fish and chips. I want to take pictures like a proper tourist and go for a ride on the London Eye if we can.”
I can’t say no to this woman. What I find myself saying instead is “I suppose it would be a good idea to post more pictures of the two of us together before the fundraiser. In case Merrick actually checks my social media.”
She frowns. It’s more than a frown. She looks disheartened. “Yeah. Exactly.”
And that’s when I know I’ve said the wrong thing.
Because saying the thing that makes this woman believe Iwouldn’tdo absolutely anything for her is not right.
I need to work on that.
I will.
“I would love to walk the streets of London with you, Olivia. I’ll have Iris cancel the reservation.”
“It’s, like, nine thirty in the morning over there!”
“She starts work at nine.”
“John. Just cancel it yourself,” she says.
“I honestly don’t know if I can since Iris made the reservation.”
“Then be sure to?—”
“Tell her how much I appreciate her. Yes, I will do that.”
Iris answers on the second ring. “Are you on your way to dinner?”
“Good morning, Iris! We have actually decided to go for a walk, so would you please, if you aren’t too busy, cancel the reservation and the driver?” There’s a long pause. “Hello? Iris?”
“Have you been kidnapped? Is someone holding you at gunpoint?”
“No.” I’m staring at Olivia when I say, “I just want to say thank you for everything, I appreciate you, and if there are times when I’ve forgotten to tell you how much I appreciate you or haven’t adequately expressed how fond I am of you…I’m sorry.”
Olivia’s smile widens. She gives me two thumbs-up.
“Shit. Are you dying?” my chief of staff asks. She genuinely sounds worried, so that’s kind of sweet.
